The proper way to deal with the threat of Trump is not to out-Trump Trump. Some Democrats in the US mistakenly think that being MAGA light will somehow gain back those voters who voted for Trump; instead not only are they not gaining MAGA voters, they are losing their own supporters; Gavin Newsom is one of those on the left who are learning the painful lesson that pivoting to right-wing rhetoric doesn't work.
Charlie no disrespect but I can't fully agree with this blog. I'm no expert just trying to learn what I can about this bill and I don't know that I'm hearing what you're saying about it from other sources. Trump playbook, really? Seems a bit of a reach. I typically agree with you on most of the topics you write about but this one is a struggle. We know government doesn't move fast. It can take years for things to happen if they happen at all and I'm getting the impression from what I've heard & read that this is what the PM is trying to change. We're in difficult times and we have to move fast, responsibly as we can, but fast. The tyrant is at the door and it will be too late to wish we had done things differently when he comes in, uninvited this time and with no regard for any of us.
I wonder if Carney is following his...VALUES., his actions seem to contradict what he has written in his book. Bill c5 needs much more input and discussion and should not be rammed through undemocratically. I am disappointed he himself does not realise that. Much of this bill is NOT what he ran his platform on.
Thanks for this important post Charlie. First off the top, trampling the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is not right. I refer people to read the informative book by the late Senator Murray Sinclair himself one of our greatest jurists in this country and a highly intelligent First Nations man from Manitoba. The book is entitled Who We are. Four questions for a Life and a Nation. I would suggest that Mr. Carney read this book and it wouldn't hurt all MP's to take it to heart either. I am very disappointed in this 'omnibus' bill being rammed through the house. It is not in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation to which Canada has committed. Instead of riding rough shod over our First Nations People, the government ought to be engaging their immense knowledge on how to take care of the land especially forests. I am sick and tired of the rest of us including the PM who think they know better. WE don't.
Secondly, I am very upset with the way this border legislation has shaken down. When it was first brought forward I was aghast. I thought the idea was to stand up to the bully fool Trump not engage him in his fantasies of porous borders. This bill has not only capitulated to Trump it has as you have stated Charlie given away too much power to border police and the minister. I am ashamed that this PM in whom so many have placed so much trust has already caved in to the MAGA disease to the south introducing a major infection into our own democracy.
I’m especially concerned by the grievous erosion of environmental regulations and consultation with both Indigenous people and the public. We didn’t spend the last 4 decades fighting to get these things only to have them wiped away at the stroke of the pen. I especially like your comment that this bill sets up further degradation under a future conservative, maga maple government. Let’s hope there’s serious discussion and review in both the House of Commons and the Senate. There’s a reason northern gateway was canned. Let’s not forget.
Personally, I dislike bankers (which Carney is). The next group I cannot stand are insurance people. The third I hate are IT guys (which I confess I am one of). I cannot trust any of them.
My experience has been they all talk out of both sides of their mouths. They are really good at OFFICE politics, which is NOT the same as REPRESENTATIONAL politics. Who you know is the only way to advance in those industries.
What SHOULD have happened after the Liberal leadership convention, was whoever replaced Trudeau had to hit the Trumpian frontlines running. Not, call an election and hit the campaign trail instead.
The months that followed the leadership race, until September, were the crucible that would have tested the mantle of whatever Liberal leader was chosen. By then, they would have PROVEN themselves, and we would have had a better idea of where to cast our votes.
Jagmeet Singh would have still been on the proving ground, making sure Canada stayed on track. It would have revealed whether Carney was just a cousin of Poilivere or not. Remember, Carney was once in Stephen Harper's employ to guide his economic policies.
Because, here's the thing: Carney already had an existing personal relationship with Trump. It was cordial enough to be a huge conflict of interest. And, when you read the article below, the same people who back Trump now, also popped up back then with Carney:
Carney’s ex-company Brookfield has deep financial ties with the Trump family
When Carney called the snap election, he did two things. He caused his own candidates to scramble with hardly any campaign funding (they weren't financialy prepared for an election). And, he left nobody at the helm to steer the ship for six weeks in the midst of Trump's most severe attacks on Canada.
Carney may argue the gambit was worth it. But, was it? He still got the same minority government, that has an identical dynamic of the previous one.
If he waited, and did the right things, he would have had a majority by September. That wasn't much of a smart move, I'ld say. But, it's good it happened, because it gives us leverage if Carney proves to be a Turkey TACO.
Now, I give credit that Carney did step up and steer Canada's ship with one hand, while leading his campaign with the other. And, he did manage to pull several of his existing relationships together into an international front against Trump in the midst of all this chaos.
Few people know this, but most business leaders are hired for their existing connections to new customers that they can bring in, than for their experience and expertise. Carney has client relationships in spades. And, maybe that is why he knows Trump personally.
While this could be the marking of an astute business leader, I wouldn't want a surgeon operating on me with one hand while flipping burgers for his lunch with the other.
Kudos for the dexterity, but a serious FAILURE when it means gambling with people's lives as their rep. These two kinds of politics are not the same thing. THEY HAVE DIFFERENT GOALS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
When we threw Trudeau out, it's because he tried to appease Trump, across three times America broke it's word.
The first was when Trump trashed the original Free Trade agreement in his first term. The agreement had appeased the USA by granting exclusive access to our oil, in exchange for Canada's access to American markets. According to Trump, that didn't work - even though his country had tabled those terms. It was a promise Trump had inherited and then renaged on.
The second was when Trudeau renegotiated that agreement WITH Trump through Freeland. Trump trashed it in his second term AGAIN. Appeasement apparently didn't work there either.
The third time was when Trudeau tried to personally fix the agreement, and Trump started calling him a governer and threatened to annex Canada. That escalated to Greenland. Then Panema. And, even Mexico.
That's when we tossed Trudeau out on his butt for his gross naivety. He couldn't see that apeasement doesn't work. When it's done on a bully, their demands just escalate and the appeasement never stops.
With what happened in the G7, either Carney is one of Trump's colluders, or Carney is as dumb as a brick.
My guess is, Carney is not Trump's ally. They have personalities which are abrasive to each other. Carney is British proper.
Trump is vulgar and only talks about how he cops a feel on girls, while giving details about the sizes of their breasts, by comparing them to his daughter's. I really don't think Carney could sit through that. Do you? And remember, Trump goes on about things like this FOR HOURS.
Carney is like a James Bond 707 dry Martini guy that hangs out in classy joints, leaning back on grand pianos, while wearing black bow ties. Unlike Trump, he WINS at casino games. He knows anybody who does business with Trump always loses their shirt.
And, no matter wherever you go with Trump: whether its to a movie, a poker table, McDonalds, Broadway theatre - anywhere you appear to be sitting and associating with him, he always looks like he's taking a happy crap on a golden toilet.
It's like the relief afterwards makes him feel good. It's his version of being high. And, people are measured by who they hang out with.
So, how do you even negotiate with a guy like Trump, who has blown all of his credibility and honor? If he agrees to anything, and even if there is an enforcement mechanism in place, how do you know he'll still keep his word? Courts don't seem to stop him.
What was the point of Carney even bringing Trump into the G7 meeting?
And, why have a one on one with Trump the NEXT day?
Because he'd make a deal and you'ld believe him?
Carney keeps saying our friendship with America is over. There is no going back to it - ever.
But, more accurately, Canadians would love to go back. It's Trump's America that we won't have anything to do with anymore.
On G7-Sunday, Carney with the others, must have told Trump that.
"If you REALLY care about making America great again, then your entire regime has to resign immediately, and new elections have to be called under impartial international supervision. It's the only way we will have anything to do with your country."
He was given a day to think about it, and respond.
This was right after the day his parade scheme to lock his dictatorship in had failed, and Americans had showed nobody stood behind him.
On G7-Monday, his answer was "No". And, then he left. The official reason given was he was now at war with Iran.
By G7-Tuesday, observers around Iran reported seeing nothing. Meanwhile, over fourty American air refueling tanker planes were tracked on their way to Spain.
Nobody in America seems to know what is going on. And, Congress has yet to authorize this war.
So, WHY would Carney be covering for Trump?
It's not that simple. Anything the G7 leaders publicly say will affect markets. Especially, if Trump was told to step down.
It can also emotionally destabilize Trump, by making him more erratic in his desperation to cling onto power. And, that will likely make Netanyahu nervous too.
Now, I cannot honestly tell you this is what went down. It's the most likely thing of what has happened, based on all the other people who were invited.
The same with Bills C-2 and C-5. Both are as thick as the yellow pages. They took a long time to write. Carney could not have written either of them since the election, yet alone both at the same time.
From what I could find, both bills were from the previous administration - and not Carney's.
Design of C-2 began under Trudeau in 2021as a means to control Covid, and any other life-threatening pandemics. It was to allow law enforcement to gain access to medical records without any search warrants.
The idea was to give tools that quickly identified hotspots, before they became serious enough to kill a lot of people.
C-5 also began under Trudeau as a means to push the Keystone pipeline project forward, before it got cancelled. It looks like Carney added his campaign promises to that piece of work. The enforcement mechanisms were already baked in for Keystone.
To be fair, Carney did consult with all the provinces and territories at the Build Canada conference. In, the end, they ALL agreed on changes to C-5, and what to keep.
Do we have a MAGAt dressed in Carney clothing amongst us?
Politicians have to walk a fine line in balancing conflicting interests. How do you write legislation that meets the dietary needs of both carnivores and vegetarians at the same time? You can't.
Bills are vague on purpose because you cannot legislate specifics. There will always be exceptions to anything you say.
That's why we have the judiciary. Their job is to take the INTENT of a bill, and determine how it applies to a specific situation. They cannot create new law. They interpret what the generalities in a law say, in a particular context.
All I can say to Carney is:
Trust is a very scarce commodity these days. If you break it even ONCE, you ain't gettin it back.
Just like the US, we are taking small steps toward fascism. Little by little putting all the pieces in place so that if a leader like Trump enters our system, they will already have the power to declare war on the Canadian people.
Our politicians and police already have too much power. We need to be distributing among communities and institutions to insulate ourselves against external and internal US-style domination.
Please Canada act now! Take to the streets today for publicity and to make everyone aware before the vote tomorrow! Learn from the US's mistakes and act immediately. Praying for you.
Thank you, Charlie, and yet... How long do you think this government will stay in power? I always liked a good NDP presence in Parliament, working together with Liberals. The NDP (and CCF before them) introduced a lot of good stuff which they could never have enacted on their own, while the Liberals got legislation passed that they did not introduce on their own. At times they just could not support one another. Right now we have a minority government, and I'm sure you are aware that the Conservatives were not exactly wiped out. They did very well in suburbia, much like Trump's Republicans did in the US. Not just NDP voters, but quite a few conservatives voted for Carney's Liberals too simply because there is a lunatic in the White House. I don't believe Carney is planning to take away our civil liberties, or ignore climate issues, or ignore the poor or turn against refugees. But first, if our current government doesn't secure Canada, all these issues will be in the hands of Conservatives. Maybe not Poilievre's, but Doug Ford can't be trusted either. Don't know if you've ever read Raphael Lemkin, the man who coined the word, "genocide" and got the UN to adopt the convention. In his memoirs, writing about one particular area of Europe with a diverse population, he notes the various groups did not much like one another, but they loved their towns, rivers, fields and forests, and knew that they shared a common destiny. Charlies, there are times when we have to address that common destiny and set aside, until later, our differences. As an immigrant, (76 years ago), I've seen changes, ups and downs, and I really believe that we must remember and nurture, above all else, our common destiny.
Thank you for this powerful and enlightening piece. I had no idea about these pieces of legislation. It is so sad that you aren't in parliament to fight against them. All the best, Patty Deline ottawa
The proper way to deal with the threat of Trump is not to out-Trump Trump. Some Democrats in the US mistakenly think that being MAGA light will somehow gain back those voters who voted for Trump; instead not only are they not gaining MAGA voters, they are losing their own supporters; Gavin Newsom is one of those on the left who are learning the painful lesson that pivoting to right-wing rhetoric doesn't work.
We're so screwed. WTH Carney. The nation believed in you. But it's not you apparently. Now we know why he didn't care about a majority.
This bill has bipartisan agreements.
MPs agreed by a vote of 305 to 30.
Charlie no disrespect but I can't fully agree with this blog. I'm no expert just trying to learn what I can about this bill and I don't know that I'm hearing what you're saying about it from other sources. Trump playbook, really? Seems a bit of a reach. I typically agree with you on most of the topics you write about but this one is a struggle. We know government doesn't move fast. It can take years for things to happen if they happen at all and I'm getting the impression from what I've heard & read that this is what the PM is trying to change. We're in difficult times and we have to move fast, responsibly as we can, but fast. The tyrant is at the door and it will be too late to wish we had done things differently when he comes in, uninvited this time and with no regard for any of us.
I wonder if Carney is following his...VALUES., his actions seem to contradict what he has written in his book. Bill c5 needs much more input and discussion and should not be rammed through undemocratically. I am disappointed he himself does not realise that. Much of this bill is NOT what he ran his platform on.
Not only the Value(s) book but also his wife who is also a climate change researcher. It's a complete repudiation and just sad
Yep!! It’s called follow-through and follow-up, revise as necessary…repeat.
I share these concerns. This is not what we voted for. Shame.
For the first time I wrote a few emails to government about these very things!
Thanks for this important post Charlie. First off the top, trampling the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is not right. I refer people to read the informative book by the late Senator Murray Sinclair himself one of our greatest jurists in this country and a highly intelligent First Nations man from Manitoba. The book is entitled Who We are. Four questions for a Life and a Nation. I would suggest that Mr. Carney read this book and it wouldn't hurt all MP's to take it to heart either. I am very disappointed in this 'omnibus' bill being rammed through the house. It is not in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation to which Canada has committed. Instead of riding rough shod over our First Nations People, the government ought to be engaging their immense knowledge on how to take care of the land especially forests. I am sick and tired of the rest of us including the PM who think they know better. WE don't.
Secondly, I am very upset with the way this border legislation has shaken down. When it was first brought forward I was aghast. I thought the idea was to stand up to the bully fool Trump not engage him in his fantasies of porous borders. This bill has not only capitulated to Trump it has as you have stated Charlie given away too much power to border police and the minister. I am ashamed that this PM in whom so many have placed so much trust has already caved in to the MAGA disease to the south introducing a major infection into our own democracy.
I’m especially concerned by the grievous erosion of environmental regulations and consultation with both Indigenous people and the public. We didn’t spend the last 4 decades fighting to get these things only to have them wiped away at the stroke of the pen. I especially like your comment that this bill sets up further degradation under a future conservative, maga maple government. Let’s hope there’s serious discussion and review in both the House of Commons and the Senate. There’s a reason northern gateway was canned. Let’s not forget.
Personally, I dislike bankers (which Carney is). The next group I cannot stand are insurance people. The third I hate are IT guys (which I confess I am one of). I cannot trust any of them.
My experience has been they all talk out of both sides of their mouths. They are really good at OFFICE politics, which is NOT the same as REPRESENTATIONAL politics. Who you know is the only way to advance in those industries.
What SHOULD have happened after the Liberal leadership convention, was whoever replaced Trudeau had to hit the Trumpian frontlines running. Not, call an election and hit the campaign trail instead.
The months that followed the leadership race, until September, were the crucible that would have tested the mantle of whatever Liberal leader was chosen. By then, they would have PROVEN themselves, and we would have had a better idea of where to cast our votes.
Jagmeet Singh would have still been on the proving ground, making sure Canada stayed on track. It would have revealed whether Carney was just a cousin of Poilivere or not. Remember, Carney was once in Stephen Harper's employ to guide his economic policies.
Because, here's the thing: Carney already had an existing personal relationship with Trump. It was cordial enough to be a huge conflict of interest. And, when you read the article below, the same people who back Trump now, also popped up back then with Carney:
Carney’s ex-company Brookfield has deep financial ties with the Trump family
https://truenorthwire.com/2025/04/carneys-ex-company-brookfield-has-deep-financial-ties-with-the-trump-family/
When Carney called the snap election, he did two things. He caused his own candidates to scramble with hardly any campaign funding (they weren't financialy prepared for an election). And, he left nobody at the helm to steer the ship for six weeks in the midst of Trump's most severe attacks on Canada.
Carney may argue the gambit was worth it. But, was it? He still got the same minority government, that has an identical dynamic of the previous one.
If he waited, and did the right things, he would have had a majority by September. That wasn't much of a smart move, I'ld say. But, it's good it happened, because it gives us leverage if Carney proves to be a Turkey TACO.
Now, I give credit that Carney did step up and steer Canada's ship with one hand, while leading his campaign with the other. And, he did manage to pull several of his existing relationships together into an international front against Trump in the midst of all this chaos.
Few people know this, but most business leaders are hired for their existing connections to new customers that they can bring in, than for their experience and expertise. Carney has client relationships in spades. And, maybe that is why he knows Trump personally.
While this could be the marking of an astute business leader, I wouldn't want a surgeon operating on me with one hand while flipping burgers for his lunch with the other.
Kudos for the dexterity, but a serious FAILURE when it means gambling with people's lives as their rep. These two kinds of politics are not the same thing. THEY HAVE DIFFERENT GOALS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
When we threw Trudeau out, it's because he tried to appease Trump, across three times America broke it's word.
The first was when Trump trashed the original Free Trade agreement in his first term. The agreement had appeased the USA by granting exclusive access to our oil, in exchange for Canada's access to American markets. According to Trump, that didn't work - even though his country had tabled those terms. It was a promise Trump had inherited and then renaged on.
The second was when Trudeau renegotiated that agreement WITH Trump through Freeland. Trump trashed it in his second term AGAIN. Appeasement apparently didn't work there either.
The third time was when Trudeau tried to personally fix the agreement, and Trump started calling him a governer and threatened to annex Canada. That escalated to Greenland. Then Panema. And, even Mexico.
That's when we tossed Trudeau out on his butt for his gross naivety. He couldn't see that apeasement doesn't work. When it's done on a bully, their demands just escalate and the appeasement never stops.
With what happened in the G7, either Carney is one of Trump's colluders, or Carney is as dumb as a brick.
My guess is, Carney is not Trump's ally. They have personalities which are abrasive to each other. Carney is British proper.
Trump is vulgar and only talks about how he cops a feel on girls, while giving details about the sizes of their breasts, by comparing them to his daughter's. I really don't think Carney could sit through that. Do you? And remember, Trump goes on about things like this FOR HOURS.
Carney is like a James Bond 707 dry Martini guy that hangs out in classy joints, leaning back on grand pianos, while wearing black bow ties. Unlike Trump, he WINS at casino games. He knows anybody who does business with Trump always loses their shirt.
And, no matter wherever you go with Trump: whether its to a movie, a poker table, McDonalds, Broadway theatre - anywhere you appear to be sitting and associating with him, he always looks like he's taking a happy crap on a golden toilet.
It's like the relief afterwards makes him feel good. It's his version of being high. And, people are measured by who they hang out with.
So, how do you even negotiate with a guy like Trump, who has blown all of his credibility and honor? If he agrees to anything, and even if there is an enforcement mechanism in place, how do you know he'll still keep his word? Courts don't seem to stop him.
What was the point of Carney even bringing Trump into the G7 meeting?
And, why have a one on one with Trump the NEXT day?
Because he'd make a deal and you'ld believe him?
Carney keeps saying our friendship with America is over. There is no going back to it - ever.
But, more accurately, Canadians would love to go back. It's Trump's America that we won't have anything to do with anymore.
On G7-Sunday, Carney with the others, must have told Trump that.
"If you REALLY care about making America great again, then your entire regime has to resign immediately, and new elections have to be called under impartial international supervision. It's the only way we will have anything to do with your country."
He was given a day to think about it, and respond.
This was right after the day his parade scheme to lock his dictatorship in had failed, and Americans had showed nobody stood behind him.
On G7-Monday, his answer was "No". And, then he left. The official reason given was he was now at war with Iran.
By G7-Tuesday, observers around Iran reported seeing nothing. Meanwhile, over fourty American air refueling tanker planes were tracked on their way to Spain.
Nobody in America seems to know what is going on. And, Congress has yet to authorize this war.
So, WHY would Carney be covering for Trump?
It's not that simple. Anything the G7 leaders publicly say will affect markets. Especially, if Trump was told to step down.
It can also emotionally destabilize Trump, by making him more erratic in his desperation to cling onto power. And, that will likely make Netanyahu nervous too.
Now, I cannot honestly tell you this is what went down. It's the most likely thing of what has happened, based on all the other people who were invited.
The same with Bills C-2 and C-5. Both are as thick as the yellow pages. They took a long time to write. Carney could not have written either of them since the election, yet alone both at the same time.
From what I could find, both bills were from the previous administration - and not Carney's.
Design of C-2 began under Trudeau in 2021as a means to control Covid, and any other life-threatening pandemics. It was to allow law enforcement to gain access to medical records without any search warrants.
The idea was to give tools that quickly identified hotspots, before they became serious enough to kill a lot of people.
C-5 also began under Trudeau as a means to push the Keystone pipeline project forward, before it got cancelled. It looks like Carney added his campaign promises to that piece of work. The enforcement mechanisms were already baked in for Keystone.
To be fair, Carney did consult with all the provinces and territories at the Build Canada conference. In, the end, they ALL agreed on changes to C-5, and what to keep.
Do we have a MAGAt dressed in Carney clothing amongst us?
Politicians have to walk a fine line in balancing conflicting interests. How do you write legislation that meets the dietary needs of both carnivores and vegetarians at the same time? You can't.
Bills are vague on purpose because you cannot legislate specifics. There will always be exceptions to anything you say.
That's why we have the judiciary. Their job is to take the INTENT of a bill, and determine how it applies to a specific situation. They cannot create new law. They interpret what the generalities in a law say, in a particular context.
All I can say to Carney is:
Trust is a very scarce commodity these days. If you break it even ONCE, you ain't gettin it back.
Just like the US, we are taking small steps toward fascism. Little by little putting all the pieces in place so that if a leader like Trump enters our system, they will already have the power to declare war on the Canadian people.
Our politicians and police already have too much power. We need to be distributing among communities and institutions to insulate ourselves against external and internal US-style domination.
Please Canada act now! Take to the streets today for publicity and to make everyone aware before the vote tomorrow! Learn from the US's mistakes and act immediately. Praying for you.
Thank you, Charlie, and yet... How long do you think this government will stay in power? I always liked a good NDP presence in Parliament, working together with Liberals. The NDP (and CCF before them) introduced a lot of good stuff which they could never have enacted on their own, while the Liberals got legislation passed that they did not introduce on their own. At times they just could not support one another. Right now we have a minority government, and I'm sure you are aware that the Conservatives were not exactly wiped out. They did very well in suburbia, much like Trump's Republicans did in the US. Not just NDP voters, but quite a few conservatives voted for Carney's Liberals too simply because there is a lunatic in the White House. I don't believe Carney is planning to take away our civil liberties, or ignore climate issues, or ignore the poor or turn against refugees. But first, if our current government doesn't secure Canada, all these issues will be in the hands of Conservatives. Maybe not Poilievre's, but Doug Ford can't be trusted either. Don't know if you've ever read Raphael Lemkin, the man who coined the word, "genocide" and got the UN to adopt the convention. In his memoirs, writing about one particular area of Europe with a diverse population, he notes the various groups did not much like one another, but they loved their towns, rivers, fields and forests, and knew that they shared a common destiny. Charlies, there are times when we have to address that common destiny and set aside, until later, our differences. As an immigrant, (76 years ago), I've seen changes, ups and downs, and I really believe that we must remember and nurture, above all else, our common destiny.
💙🇨🇦💙🇺🇦💙
Thank you for this powerful and enlightening piece. I had no idea about these pieces of legislation. It is so sad that you aren't in parliament to fight against them. All the best, Patty Deline ottawa